Fairbanks, Alaska Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Fairbanks, Alaska is 32,242 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 2nd-largest city in Alaska. The median household income is $72,077, the median home value is $255,700, and the median age is 28.6.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (31,761 → 31,732).
32,242
Population
1014
People / sq mi
$72,077
Median Income
$255,700
Median Home Value
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Fairbanks covers 31.8 sq mi of land at 1014 people per square mile.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks skews on age — the median resident is 28.6, younger than the national median. With 32,242 residents, Fairbanks is a city in Alaska. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Alaska in the country, at #2 by population.
The typical household here earns about $72,077, below the US median of $78,538. About 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $255,700, with typical rent around $1,470.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 26.5% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 5.2% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 14 minutes each way.
Fairbanks city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Fairbanks city had a population of 31,761 in 2010 and 31,732 in 2024, a -0.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 32,408 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.02%.
31,732
Population (2024)
31,761
Population (2010)
32,408
Peak (2020)
0.02%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 31,761 |
| 2011 | 30,743 |
| 2012 | 32,063 |
| 2013 | 32,386 |
| 2014 | 31,525 |
| 2015 | 31,638 |
| 2016 | 31,996 |
| 2017 | 31,733 |
| 2018 | 31,446 |
| 2019 | 30,917 |
| 2020 | 32,408 |
| 2021 | 32,180 |
| 2022 | 32,005 |
| 2023 | 32,007 |
| 2024 | 31,732 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 60.7% |
| Black or African American | 7.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$72,077
Median Household Income
$36,392
Per Capita Income
5.2%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$255,700
Median Home Value
$1,470
Median Rent
40.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.8%
High School+
26.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.3%
Drive Alone
66.1%
Public Transit
5.2%
Work From Home
14.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
55.3%
Foreign Born
85.0%
Non-English at Home
10.7%
Veterans
14.9%
With Disability
90.4%
Health Insurance
96.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 28.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.8% |
| Retail Trade | 9.4% |
| Public Administration | 7.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.3% |
| Information | 5.5% |
| Construction | 4.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 3.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.7% |
| Manufacturing | 1.5% |
Largest cities in Alaska
Largest counties in Alaska
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Metro areas in Alaska
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairbanks, Alaska has a population of 32,242 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 2nd-largest city in Alaska.
The median household income in Fairbanks, Alaska is $72,077, with 5.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Fairbanks, Alaska is $255,700, with median monthly rent at $1,470 and a homeownership rate of 40.5%.
The median age in Fairbanks, Alaska is 28.6 years. The population is 53.7% male and 46.3% female.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (31,761 → 31,732).
Fairbanks city, AK Climate
Fairbanks city, AK has an average annual temperature of -2.7°C (27°F) and receives about 319 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
-2.7°C
Avg Temp
319
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -22° / -7° | 18 mm |
| February | -18° / 0° | 16 mm |
| March | -11° / 12° | 12 mm |
| April | -1° / 30° | 9 mm |
| May | 9° / 47° | 19 mm |
| June | 15° / 58° | 40 mm |
| July | 16° / 61° | 49 mm |
| August | 13° / 56° | 48 mm |
| September | 7° / 44° | 34 mm |
| October | -4° / 24° | 30 mm |
| November | -16° / 4° | 23 mm |
| December | -19° / -3° | 21 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Fairbanks city, AK
The most comfortable months to visit Fairbanks city, AK are typically July, June and August, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 22°C high). The coldest is January (near -26°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Fairbanks
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Statewide data for Alaska
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Alaska
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.